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Johnny Drum Private Stock vs Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Put Johnny Drum Private Stock next to Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Johnny Drum Private Stock | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) | 120 proof (60% ABV) +19 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $45 ~$10 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- Johnny Drum Private Stock and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Johnny Drum Private Stock
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Johnny Drum Private Stock Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/8 oak: Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
fruit 6/3 fruit: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10
heat 5/8 heat: Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/7 nuttiness: Johnny Drum Private Stock 4 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Johnny Drum Private Stock: An old-school Willett label at 101 proof. Oily and dessert-like, with baked apple, almond and custard, and rye-like mint and spice on the finish.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Johnny Drum Private Stock if you want an oily, dessert-like 101-proof pour with old-school Willett character at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Johnny Drum Private Stock); neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve).